Arsenal secured a vital 3-0 victory over Bournemouth to continue their title challenge, but it was not a game without drama.
The home side missed countless chances in the first half, before Bukayo Saka converted a penalty on the stroke of half time, but some may believe that Arsenal were lucky to be awarded one.
Referee David Coote had an inconsistent first half as he failed to award a card to Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie after a dangerous tackle on Saka, and the second half was also marred with controversy as the visitors had a goal disallowed.
The Arsenal penalty came as Kai Havertz was fouled in the box by Mark Travers, and the VAR did not overturn Coote’s decision to award the spot-kick, despite there being possible arguments that the German left a trailing leg in to buy the foul, and he has now spoken about the decision.
Kai Havertz explains what happened as Arsenal won penalty against Bournemouth
Speaking on TNT Sports (2.46pm, 04/05), Havertz stated his belief that the penalty was correctly awarded, and revealed that Travers thought the same.
“I mean, I haven’t seen the replay, but I think he touches me. I mean, the situation affected the contact,” he stated.
“I went down, that’s why. For me, it’s a penalty. I said to the goalkeeper as well, ‘You touched me’. I think he understood as well on the pitch, so maybe it’s not that clear but I think you can give it for sure.”
Arsenal were rightfully awarded penalty for Mark Travers foul on Kai Havertz
Arsenal faced a similar incident in the Champions League as Saka went down in the box after a trip from Manuel Neuer, but a penalty was not awarded as it was deemed that he left his leg in to purposely initiate contact.
On this occasion, Travers flew off his line, made contact with Havertz’s left leg, and the German went to the ground after finding himself through on goal.
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There was little grounds for the VAR to overturn the original decision, and Bournemouth may feel aggrieved, but overall the decision was a fair one, and Havertz is clearly convinced that Travers was well aware that the outcome was a correct one.